Corynanthine

Category: alkaloid

Aliases: Rauhimbine, Corynanthin

Pharmacological Mechanism

A minor indole alkaloid of yohimbe bark (Pausinystalia johimbe) and the C-16 epimer of yohimbine. Unlike yohimbine’s α₂ selectivity, corynanthine preferentially antagonises α₁-adrenoceptors — it has higher affinity for α₁ than α₂, the reverse of yohimbine (qualitative rat cerebral-membrane binding, PMID:6111465). Its human clinical pharmacology and PK are not characterised.

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• cardiovascular

Notes

PubChem CID 92766 (C21H26N2O3, MW 354.4). Present in yohimbe bark: PMID:22221902 (chromatographic method separating corynanthine from yohimbine in bark extract) + PMID:26391406 (one of three P. johimbe alkaloids quantified in US supplements).

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 92766
• Formula: C21H26N2O3
• Molecular weight: 354.4 g/mol
• InChIKey: BLGXFZZNTVWLAY-DKJBZYCGSA-N
• SMILES: COC(=O)[C@@H]1[C@H](CC[C@@H]2[C@@H]1C[C@H]3C4=C(CCN3C2)C5=CC=CC=C5N4)O

References

• PMID 22221902
• PMID 26391406
• PMID 6111465